DeForest Wisconsin Real Estate Market Update - December 2025
Your December 2025 DeForest housing market update: Seller's market with 2.08 months of inventory and a $519,765 median price — what that means for you below.
In November 2025, DeForest's median home price reached $519,765, up 5.0% from last year, with homes selling in 31 days and just 2.08 months of supply, maintaining a competitive seller's market.
Key Takeaways - December 2025
- Median home price: $519,765 (+5.0% year-over-year)
- Homes sell fast: 31 days median time on market
- Market status: Seller's market (2.08 months supply)
- Limited inventory: Only 64 active listings available
- Best for buyers: With prices climbing steadily and limited inventory, buyers should act quickly on well-priced homes and expect minimal negotiating room in the $400k-$600k range.
- Best for sellers: Sellers continue to benefit from low inventory and strong demand, though homes are taking slightly longer to sell than last year, making competitive pricing crucial.
- Year-to-date: 350 sales with YTD median at $520,000 (+8.3% YoY)
📊 Mortgage Rate Update
Current 30-year rates are sitting around ~6%, and top forecasts from Fannie Mae and the Mortgage Bankers Association suggest this same general range will continue through 2026, with only modest improvement.
Nationally, NAR expects 2026 to be a "comeback year," with existing-home sales rebounding roughly 14% and home prices rising about 4%, driven by job growth and slowly easing rates.
DeForest Wisconsin Housing Market Analysis – December 2025
This December 2025 report covers DeForest sales data through Dec 1, 2025 (mostly November closings).
Quick Market Facts
Data source: South Central Wisconsin MLS . Data deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
Hyper-Local Market Overview
Price-strong but volume-light: DeForest's late-2025 housing market stayed price-strong but volume-light, with the median sale price rising 5.0% to $519,765 even as closed sales held steady 0.0% year-over-year. The average sale price reached $521,020, showing some upper-end/luxury closings in the mix.
Tight seller's market persists: With just 2.08 months of inventory and a 31 days median DOM, DeForest remains firmly in seller's market territory. This is well below the 4–6 month "balanced" range, continuing to favor sellers.
Year-to-date snapshot: From January through Dec 1, 2025, DeForest recorded 350 sales (-5.4% YoY) with YTD median at $520,000 (+8.3% YoY) and YTD average at $534,313 (+4.3% YoY). New listings delivered: 415 (-10.8% YoY). Active listings at snapshot: 64, with 5 pending.
DeForest Market Geography
Primary Coverage Area: DeForest, Wisconsin (53532, 53598, 53590, 53704, 53571)
Extended Service Area: DeForest and surrounding northern Dane County communities
School Districts: DeForest Area School District
City Info: Learn more about DeForest amenities
Current Market Conditions & Trends
- Seller's market dominance: At 2.08 months of supply, sellers maintain strong negotiating power. Balanced markets typically have 4–6 months of inventory.
- Strong price appreciation: Median price climbed 5.0% year-over-year to $519,765, showing continued demand in DeForest's competitive housing market.
- Fewer transactions, higher values: Closed sales held steady 0.0% and total dollar volume rose 1.7%, showing that fewer buyers were successful even as values rose.
- Price per square foot steady: At $236 (+0.9% YoY), per-square-foot values continue climbing despite inventory constraints.
- Late-fall buyer leverage: Average sale-to-list at -0.57% means buyers, on average, Homes are selling slightly under asking price, indicating modest buyer leverage in negotiations..
- New listings down: 16 new listings in November (-44.8% YoY), with significantly fewer sellers came to market compared with last year.
- YTD median DOM: Just 17 days (+5 days YoY) confirms the overall fast market speed across the year.
DeForest vs. Nearby Communities – Price Comparison
| Community | Median Price | Months Supply | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| DeForest | $519,765 | 2.08 mo | Strong seller's market |
| Madison | $435,000 | 1.8 mo | Very competitive |
| Sun Prairie | $445,000 | 2.1 mo | Seller's market |
| Waunakee | $550,000 | 1.9 mo | Strong seller's market |
| Middleton | $525,000 | 2.2 mo | Seller's market |
*DeForest data reflects Dec 1, 2025 snapshot from SCWMLS. Other community data from prior reports.
🔍 Ready to Find Your DeForest Home?
Browse all active listings in DeForest with real-time MLS data and exclusive insights
Inventory & Market Activity
- Active inventory: Just 64 homes available as of Dec 1, 2025 — extremely tight supply.
- Pending sales: 5 contracts in process, with median days until pending at 7 days.
- New listings November: 16 new listings (-44.8% YoY) — significantly fewer sellers came to market compared with last year.
- New pendings November: 23 new accepted offers (0.0% YoY), showing buyer demand remained steady.
- Year-to-date new listings: 415 total listings delivered (-10.8% YoY).
- Year-to-date new pendings: 334 (-12.8% YoY), showing buyer activity moderately below last year's pace.
- Supply by price range: The $400k-$599k range saw the most activity with 15 sales in November, while higher-end homes above $700k have significantly more supply with 4-26 months of inventory.
Big Picture: What's Driving DeForest's Market?
DeForest's market remains tight due to a perfect storm of factors: proximity to Madison employment centers, growing school district, new residential development, and limited existing inventory. Even with 30-year mortgage rates hovering near the mid-6% range and expected to stay close to current levels into 2026, qualified buyers continue to compete for limited inventory.
Integrity Homes' view: With 2.08 months of supply and +5.0% price growth, DeForest is still a seller-leaning market, but late-fall conditions are giving motivated buyers a bit more negotiating room and time to act. Sellers who list now face minimal competition, while buyers need to be pre-approved, decisive, and ready to compete on well-priced homes—especially in the $400,000–$599,999 range where supply is tightest.
Market Forecast & Buyer/Seller Recommendations
DeForest Market Outlook
Expect continued seller's market conditions through winter and into 2026. With 2.08 months of supply and 31 days median DOM, properly priced homes will continue to sell quickly. Nationally, NAR expects 2026 to be a "comeback year," with existing-home sales rebounding roughly 14% and home prices rising about 4%, driven by job growth and slowly easing rates.
What Sellers Need to Know
- Your window is now: With minimal competition (only 64 active listings) and +5.0% price growth, sellers who list in late-fall face fewer competing properties and strong demand.
- Price it right from day one: Even in a seller's market, the first two weeks matter most. Overpricing leads to stale listings that take longer to sell.
- Presentation drives premium: Professional photos, staging, and addressing visible maintenance issues can add thousands to your final sale price.
- Neighborhood matters: DeForest is a community of distinct neighborhoods. Work with an agent who knows your micro-market's recent comparable sales.
- Expect quick decisions: With 31 days median DOM, qualified buyers are ready to move. Be prepared for showings and offers quickly after listing.
What Buyers Need to Know
- Pre-approval is mandatory: In a market with 2.08 months of supply, sellers won't entertain offers without strong financing proof. Explore available loan programs and assistance options to maximize your buying power.
- Late-fall advantage: November buyers secured As of December 2025, homes in DeForest are selling at 0.57% under asking price on average, essentially unchanged from last year, giving buyers modest negotiating power while the market remains competitive..
- Focus on the $400,000–$599,999 range carefully: This is the most competitive segment with limited supply. Have your inspection contingency strategy ready.
- Expand your neighborhood search: DeForest has diverse neighborhoods at various price points. Look beyond your first choice to find hidden gems.
- Work with a local expert: DeForest's market is hyper-local. An agent who knows neighborhood nuances can identify opportunities before they hit the market.
- Veterans and military families: Take advantage of VA loan benefits with $0 down payment. Review our complete VA loan guide for Wisconsin-specific information.
Finding Your Perfect DeForest Home
Working with DeForest Real Estate Agents
Choosing the right real estate agent is crucial in DeForest's competitive market. Look for agents who specialize in your target neighborhoods, have strong MLS access, and understand local market conditions. At Integrity Homes Wisconsin, we provide:
- Real-time MLS alerts for new listings matching your criteria
- Exclusive access to off-market properties and coming-soon listings
- Expert neighborhood knowledge and comparative market analysis
- Negotiation expertise in multiple-offer situations
- Special programs for veterans, first responders, teachers, and healthcare workers through Reward Our Heroes
Popular Home Features DeForest Buyers Search For
Open Floor Plans: Modern open-concept layouts connecting kitchen, dining, and living spaces are highly sought after in DeForest's newer construction homes, appealing to families who value entertaining and togetherness.
Finished Basements: With DeForest's family-oriented market, finished lower levels with recreation rooms, home offices, and additional bedrooms add significant value and usable living space.
Larger Lots: DeForest buyers appreciate properties with generous yard space for children, pets, and outdoor activities, distinguishing the area from more densely developed Madison suburbs.
Energy Efficiency: Newer homes with energy-efficient windows, insulation, and HVAC systems are particularly attractive as utility costs rise, offering long-term savings and environmental benefits that resonate with today's buyers.
Best Online Platforms to Search DeForest Homes
While Zillow and Realtor.com provide basic listings, the most accurate and up-to-date DeForest home information comes from direct MLS access through local real estate professionals. Integrity Homes Wisconsin provides:
- Same-day MLS updates with no delay
- Accurate pricing and status
- Complete property history and detailed disclosures
- Neighborhood statistics and school boundary maps
- Ability to schedule showings directly through the platform
Frequently Asked Questions
For Home Buyers in DeForest, WI
For Home Sellers in DeForest, WI
Methodology & Update Log
- Metrics reflect SCWMLS data captured on/around Dec 1, 2025; late entries may revise prior month counts.
- Medians/averages exclude clear outliers; $/SqFt uses finished above-grade square footage.
- Year-to-date figures represent January 1 – Dec 1, 2025.
- Months of supply calculated as active listings divided by 12-month average monthly sales.
- Updated: — initial publish.